BlackBerry nails are bringing back a huge noughties trend

BlackBerry nails are the (not exactly new) trend that are taking off again as we head through the end of summer and into autumn.

Of course, black nail polish will never go out of fashion – it sits in the same camp of classics as red. But, it’s fair to say the shade’s popularity has been benched a little in recent years while milky pink, glazed donut manis have come out on top.

What are BlackBerry nails?

BlackBerry nails pay homage to the mani that headlined the noughties, when every celeb was clacking away on their BlackBerry phone and BBMing their BFF. The shape and the shade of said phone was notable, as it matched the all-black (or almost-black) short, rounded nails worn by everyone from Rihanna and Avril Lavigne to Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, Lauren Conrad and Blake Lively. Pure black, red-blacks and purple-blacks are all BlackBerry nail territory.

Eamonn McCormack

Steve Granitz

Bobby Bank

Jason Merritt

Denise Truscello

Donato Sardella

Why are BlackBerry nails back?

Obviously, black and almost-black nail polish has stayed in rotation for the 2010s and 2020s, but we can credit the Brat energy hurled into the limelight by Charli XCX for the re-explosion of gritty beauty. Her new album nostalgically explores growing up in noughties rave culture where grime and glam collided, and you’re teensy out-out shoulder bag would hold a Bic lighter, some rollies and a Vera Wang Princess perfume.

Why wear BlackBerry nails?

The beauty of BlackBerry nails (and black nails in general) is they go with everything and they have the ability to transcend moods. It can be sophisticated, it can be grungy, it can feel “society”, it can feel alternative, it can be powerful – but it’s a little edgy too. It’s more of an intense statement than a nude mani, but it can suit everyone from Gossip Girls to Brats, so whether you’re more XOXO or XCX, it works.

Our favourite ways to wear BlackBerry nails…

While Brat celebrates messy beauty (unbrushed hair, smudgy liner), we’ve noticed that it has a degree of polish to it, and as Charli XCX showed herself, her BlackBerry mani, while short and unfussy, was ultra glossy, beautifully executed and created by nail artist, Steph Stone, using Chanel’s deep red-black Rouge Noir. And while the classic short black shape makes for an authentic BlackBerry nail, experimentation and personalisation are very much encouraged, so you’ll be seeing some XXL, stiletto, ballerina and almond renditions, too…

Brat BlackBerry nails